JAIPUR: The state government on Wednesday increased night curfew timings by one hour in eight worst-affected Covid districts.
Also, markets in urban areas across the state will close by 9 pm instead of 10 pm, according to an official release.
The decisions were taken in a Covid review meeting chaired by chief minister Ashok Gehlot.
Night curfew was imposed last week in eight cities/towns —Ajmer, Bhilwara, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Sagwada (Dungarpur) and Kushalgarh (Banswara) — from 11 pm to 5 pm but now the curfew will start from 10 pm.
However, IT companies, restaurants, chemist shops, offices related to emergency services, wedding ceremonies, transportation, travellers will be exempted from the night curfew. During the meeting, Gehlot directed officials to take strict steps to save the state from the second wave of Covid infection.
Gehlot also reviewed the vaccination drive . He said in areas where more cases are reported, district collectors would be able to take a decision regarding the closure of educational institutions in consultation with the state government.
The chief minister said commercial establishments where Covid protocol is violated, the violator as well as the operator will be held responsible. He directed that joint teams of the district administration, police and local bodies should visit markets to ensure compliance of Covid protocol in the establishments. These teams will conduct a rigorous inspection till April 14 and will also be able to initiate fines and seizure if a violation is found.
In addition, operators of wedding venues will be held responsible if they flout the prescribed limit of attendees. Such marriage places can be sealed.
Gehlot directed the district collectors to regularly review the positive rates, mortality and testings. Special emphasis should be placed on contact tracing, micro containment zones and testing, the CM said.
“Vaccination is the strongest weapon to protect against Covid. We have to insist on vaccination,” he said, adding that district collectors have been instructed that the targets of vaccination should be attained as soon as possible. Gehlot appealed to the patwaris, who are on strike, to return to work in view of the situation. He said the government would try to take appropriate decisions on their legitimate demands.